As Spillane is locked in as the leader of the linebacker group (and potentially the defense), his primary running mate remains up in the air. After holding the role early in camp, Tavai, who remains one of New England’s lone bigger bodies at the position, could slot right back in when healthy.

There are five returning cornerbacks and four rookies, with Roger McCreary being the most tenured member of the group, returning for his fourth season. The cornerbacks room is a young one, one that Dennard Wilson and his coaching staff can develop and mold into the players they need them to be.